Storm names 2026-27: the full list and which comes next

Storm Boelo is the second named storm of the 2026-27 season. Under the alphabetical rule on the Met Office’s list of 21 names, the next storm will be called Chloe.

Storm Austen was named on 20 October and Storm Boelo on 22 October. The 19 remaining names, from Chloe to Wende, have no date against them yet.

When is a storm given a name?

The Met Office names a storm when it could cause disruption or damage that might lead to an amber or red warning. Wind is usually the trigger, but rain that could cause flooding, or snow, can also count.

The Met Office, Met Éireann or KNMI, the Dutch national weather forecasting service, can each name a storm, taking the name from the latest list in alphabetical order. Under that rule, Chloe is the next name on the list.

How are the names chosen?

This year’s list was compiled from public suggestions, plus suggestions from Met Éireann and KNMI. The forecaster says it chose some of the more popular names and names that reflect the diversity of the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. It adds that names are not chosen according to popularity or how many times they have been submitted.

Among the factors it weighs are how difficult a name might be to pronounce, whether it has different meanings across the countries, whether it is connected to a significant public figure and whether it could be considered controversial. The Met Office would not name a storm after a private company or brand.

Why is there no storm Q, U, X, Y or Z?

The list leaves out names beginning with those five letters. The Met Office says this keeps it in line with the US National Hurricane Centre’s naming conventions.